Car died while driving; Need electrical help
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Lebanon Ohio
Car died while driving; Need electrical help
Driving along today & car abruptly quits. Car won't start or even try to turn over. Would not take a jump either. I verified that I do have 13 volts at battery & at the starter with a meter. Lights, radio, nothing electrical works. Troubleshooting steps from here appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Could also be a completely deteriorated battery cable.
Start with accessories, lights, radio etc, to see if power from battery to car. This will indicate condition of the battery cables. If power to everywhere except the starter, then check condition of fusible link at the starter position. If fusible link is fried it is normally very easy to identify. ie; burnt appearance at the link location.
Can you use a multimeter? Start at the battery and work your way to the starter to see why you don't have power.
Start with accessories, lights, radio etc, to see if power from battery to car. This will indicate condition of the battery cables. If power to everywhere except the starter, then check condition of fusible link at the starter position. If fusible link is fried it is normally very easy to identify. ie; burnt appearance at the link location.
Can you use a multimeter? Start at the battery and work your way to the starter to see why you don't have power.
Last edited by dannyman; Apr 4, 2009 at 09:19 PM. Reason: sp
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
vette stopped
Same thing happened to me 25 years ago. '76 model died, no lights, radio, nothing, at night. Fuse link failed, no reason. Passed link and drove car for many years with no problem. Never found out what caused problem.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 51
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From: Lebanon Ohio
Fusible link just past starter was indeed blown. Thanks for all the help.
But, I need some more. How do you go about connecting the 14 gauge to 10 gauge red wire. I cut out the bad fusible link & bought a new 14 ga. fusible link. But the butt connector was for 14 gauge wire and is too small to hook to the 10 gauge red wire. I don't want to use a wire nut. Advice on how to splice these two different gauge wires together would be great.
But, I need some more. How do you go about connecting the 14 gauge to 10 gauge red wire. I cut out the bad fusible link & bought a new 14 ga. fusible link. But the butt connector was for 14 gauge wire and is too small to hook to the 10 gauge red wire. I don't want to use a wire nut. Advice on how to splice these two different gauge wires together would be great.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Fusible link just past starter was indeed blown. Thanks for all the help.
But, I need some more. How do you go about connecting the 14 gauge to 10 gauge red wire. I cut out the bad fusible link & bought a new 14 ga. fusible link. But the butt connector was for 14 gauge wire and is too small to hook to the 10 gauge red wire. I don't want to use a wire nut. Advice on how to splice these two different gauge wires together would be great.
But, I need some more. How do you go about connecting the 14 gauge to 10 gauge red wire. I cut out the bad fusible link & bought a new 14 ga. fusible link. But the butt connector was for 14 gauge wire and is too small to hook to the 10 gauge red wire. I don't want to use a wire nut. Advice on how to splice these two different gauge wires together would be great.
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